Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus
"Talking!"
'Thinking!'
"Jutsu/Summoning!"
Chapter 7
Children of the Damned
What should have been joy and happiness for the winners of the chariot race, but instead was meet with pain and depression. Lee and his cabin members had all the injured moved to the Big House to get a closer look at all of the wounds. Will took charge since he knew more about modern medicine. Mark rounded up all of Ares' Cabin to patrol the border to see if anything else gotten through.
With nothing really to do Naruto heads back to Aphrodite's Cabin. As the blonde made his way back his mind kept wondering. It felt like the flock of Stymphalian birds attacked too perfectly. Even if they're monsters and all monsters attack demigods; they waited til the chariot race started to attack. Like something signal them to attack.
The Son of Hestia stopped dead in his tracks. Why didn't he see it? He looks around at the campers. Naruto can see the fear in their eyes. The fear of camp being overrun by monsters and being killed and eaten. The fear of death will make anyone do something stupid; even if it means betraying everyone. Camp Half-Blood had a traitor.
Naruto decided to go to the stables instead. The blonde grabs the water hose turns it, places his thumb just right for the water to spray out creating a rainbow.
"O, Iris, Goddess of Rainbow, accept my offering," tossing a drachma through the rainbow, "Show me, Hades, Lord of the Underworld." Naruto asks.
The rainbow shimmers into mist as a portal opens up. On the other side stand Hades. Even thousands of miles apart he can feel the dread of death just by looking at him. Hades notices Iris Message.
Naruto knew he had to be respectful talking to Hades for not just being in charge of the Underworld, but back in Konoha death was worshiped. Being a Shinobi met death could come at anytime outside the village.
"Hades-sama, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, Son of Hestia," says Naruto as respectfully has possible
"Ah, yes my sister's only son. I must ask why you have Iris Message me?" commands Hades
"I have called you because of Tantalus. As you know, he was under your care for sometime," said Naruto
"Yes, I know. I filed the paperwork so that he could come to Camp Half-Blood," says Hades
"As you know Tantalus has no love for Olympus for what happened to him. Is it possible that the Child Eater is a traitor?" asks Naruto
"If you are stating that he poisoned the tree that creates the magical barrier, which protects the camp; then no. Tantalus has only been released to the camp for a few days now. As you should know that the barrier has been weakening for months now," stated Hades
"But it's still a possibility that Tantalus is a traitor. He is making so that the camp becomes weak. He wants his curse lift. Just the thought of his curse being lifted… well anyone would join the other side," said Naruto
"If you can find evidence that he has turned traitor, then I'll increase his punishment. But now you have to do something for me," says Hades
"That depends? As long it is reasonable and within my power, I'll glad to it," says Naruto.
Hades grunted at that. The Lord of the Dead wanted to trick the Son of Hestia into doing this task without know what's in it. 'Curse those from Delos! They don't take a job unless they know what's in it. They're more slipper then a snake.' thought Hades
The God of Riches just sighs, "I have two children that need to be brought to the camp. When the Winter Solstice is near head towards Maine." said Hades.
Naruto was actually taken aback by that. From what he understands only Zeus and Poseidon only broken their oaths. But here is Hades, not only saying that he'd broken the oath, but has two children as well. The blonde will do it and he won't ask questions; for if he doesn't know, he doesn't have to take responsibility.
"Very well, I'll bring your children here. I take it you don't want the others to know?" asks Naruto
"Correct. And no I didn't break the oath. I had my children before the oath was taken before World War II. I left them in a hotel called the Lotus Hotel and Casino. I'm sure you know about the Lotus Eaters, correct?" Naruto nods his head, "I'll send a message to you when it is time. I await for an evidence that you find about Tantalus's treachery." Hades waves his hand through the mist cutting the connection.
Naruto scratches the side of his head. He learned something all right, but not what he'd wanted. Now he has to find evidence to see if Tantalus is a traitor, but also bring Hades's children to camp when the Winter Solstice is near.
As the blonde thinks over what happened and what he learned. If Tantalus wasn't the traitor that's been here for months, know who? It had to been a year round camper as for they know the camp better then anyone. Can't be regular year round campers since they aren't in the meetings which are held, then it can only be the Camp Counselors.
Naruto shacks his head banishing those thoughts. He doesn't want to think one of his friends is a traitor.
"Sigh, from Konoha to Camp Half-Blood there is still conflicts." says the blonde sadly.
Later the evening dinner was underway. It was kind of sad no one was talking that much. It really is depressing. Even the hearth was affected by it and that's saying something. Apollo's Cabin tried to cheer everyone up by singing singalongs. It didn't help as the songs were sung halfheartedly.
The bonfire which is normally twenty feet high, bright purple, and so hot that the whole marshmallow would burst into flames. But tonight, the fire was five feet high, barely warm, and the marshmallows hardly tan.
Dionysus left early, but Naruto caught the distasteful look that was sent to Tantalus. Apollo's Cabin finishes the last song.
"Well, that was lovely!" says the Child Eater.
In Tantalus hand is a stick with a roasted marshmallow. He reaches for the marshmallow, but the marshmallow flies off of the stick. Tantalus makes a mad grab for it, but the marshmallow commits suicide by diving into the flames.
Tantalus smiles like nothing happened, "Now then! Some announcements about tomorrow's schedule," says Tantalus
"Sir," Percy quickly says
Tantalus's eye twitches, "Our kitchen boy has something to say?" asks the Child Eater.
Some of the Ares campers snicker at Percy. Naruto can tell that no one from Ares' Cabin like Percy from how he humility them last summer and how he defeated Ares in a duel as well. Percy stood up from his set and soon Annabeth joins him.
"We have an idea to save the camp." said Percy.
Everyone was dead silence. The thought of the camp being saved gotten everyone attention. Hell, the bonfire became bright yellow and grew in size.
"Indeed," says Tantalus not truly caring, "Well if there is anything to do chariots…"
"The Golden Fleece! We know where it is." says Percy.
Naruto eyes widened. He remembers reading about the Golden Fleece. A golden winged ram was sacrificed by Phrixus to Poseidon. Prixus then hanged the sacrifice on an oak tree in a grove sacred to Ares. Pelias sent Jason and the Argonauts on a quest to get the Golden Fleece to end the drought. With the Golden Fleece it could cure Thalia's Tree from whatever poison that is pledging it.
"The Fleece can save the camp. I'm certain of it," Annabeth pleads
"Nonsense, we don't need saving." says Tantalus.
All eyes went to the Child Eater; staring at him and promises him pain if he doesn't say anything else.
"Besides," quickly adding, "The Sea of Monsters? That's hardy an exact location. You wouldn't even know where to look."
"Yes, I would," Annabeth looks at Percy with uncertainly, "30,31,75,12." stats Percy
"Ooo-kay, thank you for sharing those meaningless numbers," said Tantalus
"They're sailing coordinates, latitude and longitude. I, uh, learned about it in social studies," says the Son of Poseidon
"30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west. He's right! The Gray Sisters gave us those coordinates. That's be somewhere in the Atlantic, off the coast of Florida. The Sea of Monsters. We need a quest!" said Annabeth
"Wait just a minute." said Tantalus.
The campers didn't listen to Tantalus chanting "We need a quest! We need a quest!" The flames of the bonfire grows in size.
"It isn't necessary!" Tantalus says as he tries to calm the campers down
"WE NEED A QUEST! WE NEED A QUEST!"
"Fine!" Tantalus shouted, "You brats want me to assign a quest?"
"YES!"
"Very well, I shall authorize a champion to undertake this perilous journey, to retrieve the Golden Fleece and bring it back to camp. Or die trying." said Tantalus.
Percy became excited when Tantalus looked at him. Percy getting the chance to save not just Grover, but also the camp.
"I will allow our champion to consult the Oracle! And choose two companions for the journey. And I think the choice of champion is obvious. The champion should be one who has earned the camp['s respect, who has proven resourceful in the chariot races and courageous in the defense of the camp. You shall lead this quest… Clarisse!" announced Tantalus.
Percy wasn't expecting that. He brought up the quest, he brought up the Fleece, he brought up the location of the Sea of Monsters. Those at Ares Table cheered and yelled "CLARISSE! CLARISSE!" Clarisse stood up looking a little stunned, then pride came over her face.
"I accept the quest!" says Clarisse with pride
"Wait!" shouted Percy, "Grove is my friend!"
"Sit down! You had your chance last year." yelled out Mark
"Yeah, he wants to be in the spotlight again!" Sherman added
Clarisse glares at Percy, "I accept the quest! I, Clarisse, Daughter of Ares, will save the camp!" says Clarisse with pride.
The Ares campers cheered louder. Annabeth protests soon others from her cabin joins in. Sides were being taken. Chaos erupted til a wave of death washes over one. Naruto stands up and eerily calmly talks to them with a strange echo in his voice.
"You will all calm down. We have our champion, there will be no ifs, ans, or buts." Naruto rubs the side of his head and groans.
"Yes," says Tantalus taken aback what Naruto just did, "Why don't I tell you all a ghost story?" said Tantalus
"No, you'll most likely will tell them what you did and try to scare everyone," Tantalus gives Naruto a dirty look, "Why don't I tell you all a story from Delos?" says Naruto.
That catches everyone attendant. Most of the campers heard the rumors where Naruto was from and wanted to know. Those is Athena's Cabin wanted to learn as much as they could about Delos since there was very limited information about the island.
"It starts at my home village Konoha. There when you graduate from the Academy, you are given the rank Genin. Three Genin to each squad with a Jonin as their sensei, together they train together and take missions together," says Naruto as he looks around having everyone from camper, Dryard, Naiad, Satyrs, even Tantalus is listening.
"In my squad was Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and me Uzumaki Naruto along with our sensei Hatake Kakashi. We trained for six months and took several missions during those months, til one day Kakashi-sensei told us he'd sign us up for the Chunin Exams. In order to move up in rank and become a Chunin you have to pass the Chunin Exams," says Naruto
"They can't be that hard right?" said Mark
"People die during these exams," Naruto quickly says back.
That catches everyone off guard. An exam so hard people die during it. They wonder what kind of people are over there.
"I don't know what the exams are like for the other villagers, but in Konoha had three parts to the exam which we took. The first exam was a written one. Everyone has ten questions and they all start out with a perfect score, with each wrong question you lose a point and you lose two points for every time you were caught cheating," said Naruto
"There has to be more to it then that, right?" questions Annabeth
"Of course! All the questions are too hard for any Genin to answer by themselves. The true purpose of the test was to cheat. To gather the answers without being caught for getting caught could mean life or death. And I didn't know that and didn't answer any questions." Naruto sheepishly says.
Everyone couldn't believe in what they just heard. That Naruto passed a test that was met to cheat on and didn't cheat at all and didn't answer any of the questions.
"The tenth question was given forty five minutes after the test begun. So I bet everything on the finally question. The question itself was to have the nerves to finish. The instructor used mind games and tricked people into giving up, saying that if they took the tenth question and still failed they would be stuck as a Genin for the rest of their lives." said Naruto.
Annabeth was so fascinated. She heard of the stories about Delos and how the people there had abilities that gave them an edge over normal demigods. But there was no information about the military or how they move up in rank. The thought of a test was made to fail others and encourages cheating left her speechless.
"Right as the written exam was over, the second exam started and this one made or broke a lot of people. The second exam was a survival exam. The exam itself took place at Training Ground 44, but otherwise was known as the Forest of Death." said Naruto
"The… The Forest of Death?" asks Percy
"The forest was the toughest Training Ground that Konoha has. Not only is the forest thick of very large and tall trees, but with the vicious animals, deadly insects, and poisonous plants. Just outside of the Forest of Death each team is given one of two scrolls; a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. The purpose of this test was to carry valuable information through enemy territory, while making it out alive. In order to complete the test each team had to get the other scroll and head to the tower that is in the center of the forest." said Naruto
"What if you looked inside the scroll you are given?" asked Annabeth
"You'd fall asleep. There is a five day time limit and when you open the scroll you'd fall asleep and miss the deadline. During the test we were attacked by someone who shouldn't of been there. The traitor Orochimaru, one of the Sannin." Naruto says with disgust.
The blonde will always blame Orochimaru for Sasuke leaving Konoha. Sure he knew about Sasuke's want for revenge against his brother Itachi and would do anything to get it. Orochimaru went after Sasuke only because he couldn't defeat Itachi.
"Orochimaru attacked us and gave Sasuke a Curse Mark, which caused Sasuke to pass out from the pain from what I heard. I was knocked out before that though. Sakura was the only one who was still conscious. She set up traps and protected us til we woke up. During that time she was attacked by another team til some of our friends came and helped her defend us. With that said and done we barely finished the second part of the Chunin Exam." said Naruto
"What was the third part? Written and survival were the first two, what was the final?" asks Annabeth
"The third was battling," everyone looked at Naruto with excitement, "There were too many of us so they held a preliminary round to weed out more of us out. You see during the third part of the exam nobles and others come to watch the fights and that's how we get more missions in the future. During the preliminary we see our future opponents later on. It was truly amazing! Seeing all those people fighting to make it into the finals and show everyone what they can do. I won my match through… luck? Yeah luck! He he…" laughs Naruto while rubbing the back of his head.
No way in hell is he going to tell everyone how he used a fart that helped him win his fight. He'd be the laughingstock of camp.
"After the preliminary round ended…"
"Yes, yes that's good and all, but Clarisse needs to head for the Oracle," everyone groans, "I don't care! The Oracle, my dear. Go on." says Tantalus.
The Daughter of War shifted uncomfortably not wanting to be put in the spotlight. If it mean to have being Tantalus's pet then she doesn't want the glory.
"Sir…"
"Go!" snarling at her.
She bowed awkwardly and hurried off to the Big House.
"What about you, Percy Jackson? No comments from our dishwasher?" Percy doesn't say anything, "Good, and let me remind everyone; no one leaves this camp without my permission. Anyone who tries… well, if they survive the attempt, they will be expelled forever, but it won't come to that. The harpies will be enforcing curfew from now on, and they are always hungry! Good night, my dear campers. Sleep well." says Tantalus.
The Child Eater waves his hand for the fire to go out, but nothing happened. He does it again and nothing happens. Naruto smirks before he waves his hand causing it to extinguish.
Everyone headed to their cabins for the night. Before Naruto got to his cabin Clarisse stops him. The Daughter of War looked like she seen a ghost, which in a sense is true with the Oracle being undead.
"Naruto," he knew it was serious, "I've decided that you're coming with me on this quest," says Clarisse
"Are you sure? I mean wouldn't you want Mark or Sherman?" asked Naruto
"No, they need to stay here and protect the camp. Besides, if there is anyone I'd have watching my back would be you," says Clarisse
Naruto smiles, "Right! I'll met you first thing in the morning!" says Naruto
"And make sure you don't over sleep. I know you stay in Cabin Ten, but doesn't mean you have to get your beauty sleep." smirking Clarrise
"You're just jealous that I'm pretty!" counters Naruto
"Start that you and your new nickname will be Pretty Boy!" says Clarisse.
Midnight
The clouds slowly move out of the moon shinning its light down. A figure wearing a black coat that covers their whole body along with a hood over their head too. In front of the figure is Tantalus hanging upside down still asleep. With a hard punch Tantalus wakes up screaming panicking trying to figure out what's going on.
"Tantalus son of Zeus, but better known as Child Eater," says the cloaked figure with a muffle voice
"Wh- Who are you?!" panics Tantalus.
Now that Tantalus vision is clearing, he has a better look at the figure. The black coat doesn't help figure out who it is. Tantalus gets a glance at the figure's face, but only saw a mask. What he saw was an everlasting smile, a permanent smile; a Glasgow smile.
"Good… You're awake," says the figure
"What… What do you want?!" says a panicking Tantalus
"I want to know did you join Kronos?"
"N- No! I may hate Olympus for what they did to me, but I'm no fool! My punishment would be worse then it is now!" yelled Tantalus
"Then why weaken the camp?"
"Because I have no love for these… heroes!" spiting the word heroes with venom
"Then you're no use to me."
And with that Tantalus is knocked out. The figure sinks into the shadows leaving Tantalus to be found in the morning. On the other side of camp the figure comes out of the shadow.
"Did you learn anything?" asks Beckendorf
"No…"
The figure pulls his hood down showing blonde hair and the mask folds into a pair of aviators. Naruto takes the sunglasses. Quickly grabbing a trashcan and puking into it.
"I hate Shadow Traveling… It feels as though every cell in my body is on fire." says Naruto as he pukes some more.
Beckendorf shacks his head. He completed the coat that's Naruto is wearing just the other day. The coat itself can use Shadow Travel like Hellhounds and the children of Hades. But as he found out Shadow Travel takes a lot out of the user. Naruto puking his guts out is just putting it mildly. It truly amazes him by using Spoils of War to make equipment. The coat is just the beginning. The thought of making a shield that can turn monsters into stone like how Medusa can. There was so many possibilities.
Cleaning around his mouth, "Tantalus isn't a traitor. He hasn't joined Kronos, but he does want us all to be dead." said Naruto.
Naruto took a gamble by telling Beckendorf about a traitor in camp. Beckendorf is in a position that is a lifeline to the whole camp. He makes sure that the weapons and armor that all the campers use, without Beckendorf the camp won't survive.
"Well, that's a bust. You need to get to bed. I heard Clarisse asked you to join her on her quest," says Beckendorf
"I better get as much sleep possible. Night Big Beck." said Naruto.
Dawn
The sun just barely rises. Naruto waits for Clarisse to arrive. He takes out a scroll remembers that there is still items inside. Unrolls the scroll and pumps some Chakra through the scroll and armor pops out. A vest like the one Kakashi wore lies on the ground, two shin guards that are made out of bronze and leather, and finally a single forearm protector which is made out of bronze and leather.
Taking off his scarf and picks up the vest. Naruto puts the vest on and checks all the pouches for any items only to find them all empty. The blonde wraps his scarf around his neck once more. Kneels down and straps on the shin guards, making sure that they are tight enough so they don't slip off, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Then he puts on the forearm protector on his right arm and checks it like his shin guards. With a final check to all his supplies bronze kunai in his leg holster and spar in his back pouch, bronze shuriken in his back pouch, vials of nectar, and bags of ambrosia.
Standing up and turns around to see Clarisse walking towards Naruto. Clarisse is wearing full Greek armor that's painted red to symbolize blood and wearing a boar-shape helmet. The Daughter of War is carrying her shield, spear, a sword, and a knife strapped to her leg, along with a bag hanging off her shoulder. She sticks her spear into the ground.
"I see you finally put some armor on, Hearth Boy,"
"Well we are going on a dangerous quest. It's only natural for me to have protection. And you brought Lamer!" said Naruto
"It's name is Maimer!" shouted back Clarisse
"That's what everyone calls it behind your back, you know?" Clarisse glares at Naruto to shut up, "Sorry, sorry! So how are we getting out to sea?" asks Naruto
"We'll go to the beach and I'll summon our ride." said Clarrise.
They head down to Fireworks Beach where the docks are at. Clarisse takes out a drachma. Naruto catches sight of it before Clarisse tosses it. On it is a picture of Ares and on the other side is the Empire State Building. They wanted a few seconds before the water bubbles. A Confederate Ironclad warship with the words CSS Birmingham on the side slowly rises out of the water.
"Wow! How did you do that?" asked Naruto
"I asked Ares to help me with this quest. When someone dies in battle they have to serve Ares for so much time before they can rest. It's the price to pay for losing in battle," answered Clarisse.
Naruto whistles as they board the ship. Naruto's eyes went wide when he seen the crew.
"G- G- Ghost!" shouted Naruto.
The Son of Hestia jumps behind Clarisse using her as a shield.
"What… What the hell, Naruto!?" shouted a blushing Clarisse
Naruto pokes his head out from behind Clarisse, "They're ghosts!" yelled Naruto
"Damn it, Naruto!"
Clarisse grabs the blonde and forces him in front of her. She slaps Naruto to stop him from trying to run away.
"They can't do anything damn it! Tell the captain that we are ready to go!" order Clarisse.
The ship started to set course for the Sea of Monsters. Naruto kept close to Clarisse not fully trusting the ghosts. Clarisse just shacks her head at Naruto's fear of ghosts. One of the strongest campers is afraid of ghosts.
Night came and went with Naruto not getting any sleep at all. He really didn't trust those zombies. Clarisse told him that they weren't ghosts, but zombies after she gotten tired of him calling them ghosts then passing out.
"Riss-chan do you smell that?" asked Naruto
"Smell what?" questions Clarisse
"It smells like… donuts." said Naruto.
Ah, that was day. The Stoll Brother smuggle in donuts in from a nearby gas station. Sadly it was his first and only time having donuts. The sugar rush that he got took most of the day to wore off. He even out ran a Dryad which was sawing something.
Naruto looks over off the starboard seeing a Hydra with eight heads wearing a plastic bib with writing on it. From what he can see Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson are fighting the Hydra. Clarisse seeing it.
"There! Prepare the thirty-two-pounder!" orders the Daughter of War after she found the Hydra
"They're too close, m'lady!" said one of the gunners
"Damn the heroes! Full steam ahead!" orders Clarisse
"Aye, m'lady,"
"Fire at will, Captain!" Clarisse shouted more orders out.
With a loud BOOM echoed, then the next thing the Hydra explodes showing Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson in green slime. They all turn around looking the ironclad. Clarisse smiles at them.
"Losers, but I suppose I have to rescue you. Come aboard." said Clarisse.
A latter is thrown over board. First Annabeth came up, then Percy, and finally Tyson. Percy was a little freaked out by the zombies, Tyson looked like he wanted to take apart the ironclad to find out how it works, and Annabeth was staring at Naruto.
"Why are you staring at me?" asked Naruto
"You're the son of Hestia," stated Annabeth
"Yes…"
This wasn't the first time someone said that. All of Athena's Cabin wanted to find out more. It sometimes got out of hand. They wanted to know more about Delos, but Naruto never did pay attention in class so he wasn't much help for them.
"And you're from Delos," stated Annabeth
"Sigh, Annabeth, right? Look I know you want to ask questions, but they're going to have to wait." Naruto quickly says.
Clarisse shows them around the ship. Naruto could tell that Percy and Annabeth really didn't care about the tour. Though Tyson did when he'd seen the engine and boilers. The dead Confederate sailors asked where they were from Annabeth said Virginia they approved of her. When they asked Percy where he was from he said New York they hissed at him and cursed about a Yankee. The dead Confederate sailors asked Clarisse and Naruto when they first boarded. They didn't show much interest with Clarisse being from Arizona and Naruto being from Delos.
"You are in so much trouble." said Clarisse.
They all went to the CSS Birmingham captain's quarters for dinner.
"Tantalus expelled you for eternity. Mr. D said if any of you show your faces at camp again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV," stated Clarisse
"That's thing still works?" Naruto quickly asks
"Yes, I'm surprised he didn't turned you and the Stoll Brothers into squirrels," said Clarisse
"He did, but I changed back after awhile," said Naruto
"Did they give you the ship?" asked Percy
"'Course not. My father did," said Clarisse
"Ares?"
Clarisse sneered, "You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? The spirits on the losing side of every war owe a tribute to Ares. That's their curse for being defeated. I prayed to my father for a naval transport and here it is. These guys will do anything I tell them. Won't you, Captain?" asked Clarisse.
The Captain stares at Percy with hungry in his eyes, "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone,"
"Destroy anyone. I like that," said Clarisse
"Only you would like that," mutters Naruto
"Clarisse, Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters…"
"Good! I'll blow him out of the water." said Clarisse
"You don't understand, we have to combine forces. Let us help you…"
"No!" Clarisse hits the table, "This is my quest, smart girl! Finally I get to be the hero, and you two will not steal my chance," shouted Clarisse
"Why did you only take one person with you?" asked Percy
"I asked Naruto because he's the only one I know that'll watch me back!"
"What? You couldn't trust anyone from you cabin?" questioned the Son of Poseidon
"Shut up, Prissy! I don't need them! Or you!" yelled Clarisse
"Clarisse, Tantalus is using you. He doesn't care about the camp. He'd love to see it destroyed. He's setting you up to fail," says Percy
"How dare you! What give you the right to say that!" Naruto glares at Percy, "We've been fighting monsters for the past year protecting the camp while everyone else was gone!" yelled Naruto
"All you need to know is that I'm finishing the quest and you're not helping. On the other hand, I can't let you go," says Clarisse
"So we're prisoners?" questions Annabeth
"Guess. For now," Clarisse propped her feet up onto the table, "Captain, take them below. Assign them hammocks on the berth deck. If they don't mind their manners, show them how we deal with enemy spies." orders Clarisse.
The Captain does has he's order taking them to the berth deck. Naruto looks over to Clarisse. He knows how much she wants to compete this quest. Wanting to prove to everyone, but most of all to Ares. Everyone in camp knows how much he likes his sons more then his daughters. Clarisse is the first one in a long time since a Daughter of Ares went on a quest, let alone leading it.
"Riss-chan…" snapping Clarisse out of her thought, "Everything is going to be fine. You'll compete the quest and prove to everyone just how great you really are! You have my word, and I never break my word!" says Naruto which causes the Daughter of War's cheek to burn red.
The next day
Naruto yawns for another sleepless night. Keeping an eye open for the zombies that tried anything. He also didn't like that Percy and Annabeth forced their way onto this quest. A friend of theirs is in trouble and they want to help. He gets it, he'd do the same thing, but also wouldn't just leave to save them. It shows that they have no faith in his or Clarisses' abilities.
As the blonde walks down the hallway a wave of anger and hatred washes over him like the when the Kyuubi wanted out. But it was different. The Kyuubi's wanted death and destruction for revenge; this was more for the joy of death.
The Son of Hestia turns down a corridor to see an Iris Messenger. In Messenger he was the cause for the anger and hatred. A man wearing a black leather jacket, military style haircut, and red tinted sunglasses. Ares the God of War, Clarisse's father.
"I don't want excuses, little girl!" growled Ares
"Y- Yes father," Clarisse mumbled
"You don't want to see me mad, do you?" threatens Ares
"No, father,"
"No, father," Ares mimicked, "You're pathetic. I should've let one of my sons take this quest," says Ares
"I'll succeed!" Clarisse promised, her voice trembling, "I'll make you proud,"
"You better," warning her, "You asked me for this quest, girl. If you let that slimeball Jackson kid steal it from you…"
A chain shoots out piercing the metal wall near the Messenger. Clarisse turns her head to see Naruto walking towards them. His eyes locking with Ares'.
"You threaten my friend. You berated her. You have no faith in Clarisse. Threaten her again, I don't give a fuck who you are. I'll fucking kill you!" stated Naruto
"Watch what you say boy!" threatens Ares
"You can't touch me. As long I don't challenge you, you can't harm me directly." stated Naruto.
Naruto rips his chain through the steam causing the image of Ares to disappear. Clarisse was dumbfounded that someone just threaten a god. Let alone that someone came and defended her.
"Naruto… why did you do that? Ares will now try to fall in battle," stated Clarisse
"Because you're my friend, Riss-chan! I'm willing to go to the deepest pits in the Underworld, willing to go to the tops of Olympus, willing to go to the deepest parts of the oceans for my friends. I don't care who stands in my way, I will always protect my friends. Olympus could be burning and I would only care about my friends safety. For Olympus can be rebuilt, friendships can't." Naruto says with passion and confidence.
Clarisse's cheeks redden at the lengths that Naruto is willing to take for his friends. Willing let the world burn for the safety of his friends. For the world can be rebuilt, but people can't. The makings of a great leader that cares for his people and not for power.
"You didn't have to protect me, Naruto," says Clarisse as she turns her head away from the blonde
"I know, but I couldn't just stand there while Ares talked to you like that. I guess it has to do with who my mom is." said Naruto.
They head up to the deck. Clarisse takes a pair of binoculars from a zombie officer and peered toward the horizon.
"At last. Captain, full steam ahead!" Clarisse orders.
The engine groaned as the ship increased in speed. Tyson mutters something about the strain is too much and that the ship wasn't made for deep water. A mass of rock rises out of the waters, creating a hundred foot cliff to the north. The clouds darken with the sound of thunder to the south.
"Hurricane?" asked Annabeth
"If it were that simple. Charybdis." answered Naruto.
Charybdis was once a beautiful Naiad that is the daughter of Poseidon and Gaea. During the feud between Zeus and Poseidon, Charybdis rode waves after Poseidon stirred up storms to take beaches, villages, fields, and forests to be claimed by the sea. Zeus became so enraged that he turned her into a monster forever.
"Are you crazy?! Annabeth shouted as she pales
"Only way into the Sea of Monsters. Straight between Charybdis and her sister Scylla." said Clarisse.
Scylla was once a beautiful Nymph. The Sea God Glaucus fell madly in love, but she fled to land where he could not go. Glaucus went to the Sorceress Circe to ask her for a love potion to melt Scylla's heart. The Sea God told Circe his tell with the Sorceress falling in love with him. She wooed him with sweet words and her looks, but Glaucus was set for only Scylla. Furious with Scylla because she couldn't get Glaucus to fall for her; took a vial of powerful poison and poured it in the pool where Scylla bathed. As soon the Nymph entered the pool transformed into what she is now.
"What do you mean the only way? The sea is wide open! Just sail around them," Percy says
Clarisse rolls her eyes, "Don't you know anything? If I tried to sail around them, they would just appear in my path again. If you want to get into the Sea of Monsters, you have to sail through them," answered Clarisse
"What about the Crashing Rocks? That's another gateway. Jason used it," said Annabeth
"Jason and the Argonauts only survived because of the protection from Hera. Even with the protection they used speed to quickly get by. This ship doesn't have that speed from the sounds the engine is giving off." answered Naruto.
Annabeth blushes for forgetting about that information about Jason.
"Set course for Charybdis!" orders Clarisse
"Aye, m'lady!"
The engine groans louder. The whole ship shacks from the engine as though the ship is fixing to fall apart.
"Clarisse, Charybdis sucks up the sea. Isn't that the story?" asked Percy
"Three times a day," said Naruto
Clarisse gives Naruto a stench eye, "And spits it back out again, yeah,"
"What about Scylla?"
"She lives in a cave, up on those cliffs. If we get too close, her snaky heads will come down and start plucking sailors off the ship," answered Clarisse
"No! If Scylla doesn't get her easy meat, she might pick up the whole ship. Besides, she's too high to make a good target. My cannons can't shoot straight up. Charybdis just sits there at the center of her whirlpool. We're going to steam straight towards her, train our guns on her, and blow her to Tartarus!" yelled Clarisse.
Percy seemed to relax a bit when Clarisse said that. Naruto groans about Clarisse forgetting that Odyssey had to make a choice between Charybdis or Scylla. Lost a whole ship, or only a few men. Odyssey choose to sacrifice his men so he would have a ship. Naruto knew that Clarisse cares for anyone under her command. She's willing to sacrifice the whole ship to make sure that everyone is safe.
The winds picked up as they draw closer. The red Ares flag whips in the wind. Charybdis's breathing can be heard. Inhaling draws the ship in further, exhaling causes ten foot waves. Everyone three minutes Charybdis would inhale everything with half a mile radius. In order to be out of the radius would put the ship right next to the cliffs. Charybdis roars creating a vortex.
"Full reverse! Get us within firing range! Make ready starboard cannons!" Clarisse screams over the roar.
The ship strains from full steam ahead to full reverse. The propeller trying to slow the ship down, but the ship kept sliding towards the center, towards Charybdis. One of the sailors burst onto the deck. His uniform was smoking and his beard was on fire.
"Boiler room overheating, ma'am! She's going to blow!"
Well, get down there and fix it!" orders Clarisse
"Can't! We're vaporizing in the heat."
Clarisse hits the railing, "All I need is a few more minutes! Just enough to get in range!"
"We're going in too fast, prepare yourself for death,"
"No! I can fix it," says Tyson
Clarisse turned her head to Tyson, "You?" questioned the Daughter of War
"He's a Cyclops. He's immune to fire. And he knows mechanics," said Annabeth
"Go!" orders Clarisse
"Tyson, no!" Percy grabs his arm, "It's too dangerous!" says Percy
Tyson pats Percy's hand, "Only way, brother. I will fix it. Be right back." said Tyson before he heads down below.
The ship was close enough to Charybdis. A black crag of coral just below the surface. The large teeth all jagged with fish and driftwood stuck between them. The mouth wide open sucking in sharks, schools of fish, and a giant squid.
"Lady Clarisse, starboard and forward guns are in range!"
"Fire!" ordered Clarisse.
The sound of thunder echos three folds. One of the cannonballs hit Charybdis's teeth, another went into the depths of her maw, and the last hit some debris and bounces back killing the Ares flag.
"Again!" orders Clarisse.
The gunners reload the cannons. As they were the sound of the engine becomes stronger and doesn't sound like it's fixing to give out. The ship starts to pull away from Charybdis.
"Tyson did it!" Annabeth said
"Wait! We need to stay close!" says Clarisse
"We'll die! We have to move away!
"Riss-chan, Percy's right! We have to leave while we can," said Naruto.
Charybdis shuts her mouth, then water washes over her. It was the calm, then chaos came. Charybdis ejected everything she sucked up. When she did a forty foot wave hits the ship causing it to be hurled towards the cliffs. A sailor run up from the hold.
"The engine is about to blow!"
"Where's Tyson?" Percy demands
"Still down there. Holding it together somehow, though I don't know for how much longer,"
"We have to abandon ship," says the Captain
"No!" yelled Clarisse
"We have no choice, m'lady. The hull is already cracking apart! She can't…"
the Captain became another victim to Scylla. Strange enough his leather boots were all that remained.
"Scylla!" yelled one of the sailors.
Another one of Scylla's head shot out taking the sailor. It happen so fast there was really nothing they could do. Percy takes out his sword Riptide and takes a swing at another head and misses.
"Everyone get below!" yelled Percy
"We can't!" Clarisse drew her sword, "Below deck is in flames,"
"Get to the lifeboats!" yelled Naruto as he runs over to the lifeboats
"They'll never get clear of the cliffs. We'll all be eaten," said Clarisse
"We don't have much of an option! We can defend against Scylla, then we can Charybdis!" yelled Naruto.
Clarisse and a few of the undead sailors uncovered one of the lifeboats. Naruto looks over to see Percy toss Annabeth what to be a thermos, before heading towards the hatch below deck. Percy never made it as Scylla picked him up. The Son of Poseidon stabbed Scylla in the eye letting him go. But it didn't matter as the ironclad exploded.
The fire didn't harm Naruto, but the force of the explosion knocked him overboard with him blacking out.